Spraying machine



Sept. 24, 1940.

R. L. SMITH SPRAYING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1937 I, v I? f q V Jk I K 159 i I IN VE N TOR 72' RALPH L. cSM/TH. M t 47 BY m f pbz, W

A TTORNE Y5. 1 -5 Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICESPRAYING MACHINE Application July 12, 1937, Serial No. 153,194

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improved surface coating material sprayingapparatus.

More particularly, the invention relates to an automatic sprayingmachine of this character by which angularly disposed walls or sidesurfaces of an article may be simultaneously sprayed with coatingmaterial.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a sprayingmachine of this character by which angularly disposed surfaces of anobject, such as an automobile body for example, may be evenly coatedwith surface coating material simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means inspraying apparatus of this kind for automatically starting and stoppingthe discharge of coating material as the article to be sprayed is movedinto and out of spray-receiving positions respectively.

A further object of the invention is the provision of coating materialspray-discharging devices which are adapted to oscillate throughout asubstantially long path in order that one spray device may be used forapplying coating material to a comparatively'wide, or extended surface.

Still further objects of the invention are the provision of apparatusfor movably supporting and drivingly propelling articles to be sprayedthroughout a predetermined course during os- 80 cillatory movement ofthe spraying device; to

provide mechanism in a machine of this character for drivinglyoscillating the spray devices and propelling the article to be sprayedin timed relationship; to provide improved automatically 35} operablecontrol mechanism for interrupting the discharge of sprayed coatingmaterial from the spraying devices during predetermined portions oftheir oscillatory strokes in order to prevent overlapping of the spraydischarged from spray '40] devices operating upon adjacent surfaceportions.

Additional object of the invention are to provide improved controlmechanism for controlling the discharge of surface coating material fromeach respective spray device; to provide control mechanism of thischaracter which is operable by fiuid pressure and by which isfacilitated the starting and stopping of the spray discharge operationsof all of the spray devices, simultaneously; and to provide spraydischarge control apparatus by which selected spray devices may beconditioned to operate throughout respectively difierent predeterminedportions of their oscillatory stroke.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is 85 shown in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of asurface coating materialspraying machine embodying the invention and in which the application ofsurface coating material to a vehicle body, shown in dot and dash lines,is illustrated. 5

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1showing, somewhat in detail, the construction of spray devices employedin apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the arm-swingingstructure enclosed within the dotted circle in Fig. 1.

In the form of the invention shown in the drawing, the improved machinecomprises a pair of channel-shaped tracks In on which a skid, generallydesignated by the numeral H, is movably mounted. The skid H comprises asubstantially horizontal platform portion l2 and spaced runners I3, eachof which are slidably received by the channel sides of the tracks H]. Anendless 20 conveyor chain I4 is disposed between the track l0 and drivenby a sprocket l6 mounted on a shaft ll extending transversely of thetrack- The shaft ll has a sprocket gear I8 on its left end, as viewed inFig. l, which is drivingly connected 25 by a chain I9 with a socketpinion 20 mounted on a shaft 2| of a driving unit which is disposedwithin a casing 22 and which comprises a suitable prime mover, such asan electric motor (not shown) and speed reducing gearing (not shown).The conveyor chain I4 has upwardly extending lugs 23 which areengageable with the platform l2 and by which an article mounted thereon,such as the vehicle body generally designated by the numeral 24, may bepropelled along the course predetermined by the track ID.

A generally rectangular frame structure, generally designated by thenumeral 25, is disposed in vertically upright position in a planesubstantially normal to the path of movement of the vehicle body 24.This frame structure includes a base portion 26, upright side members21, and a horizontal top member 28. Mounted on each side member 21 ofthe frame structure 25 is a bracket 29 on which a bearing 30 isprovided. The bearings 30 of the brackets 29 each oscillatively supportan arm 3| comprising inner and outer sections which are pivotallyattached together at 32. The inner end portions of the inner sections ofthe arm 3| are provided with blocks 33 having pivots 34 thereon whichare journalled in the bearings 30. The arms 3| are thus mounted foroscillatory movement in substantially vertical planes and aboutsubstantially horizontal axes.

A bracket 35 is provided on the intermediate portion of the top member28 of the frame structure 25 and provided with a bearing 38 similar tothe bearings 38 in which a pivot 31 of an oscillatable arm 38 isjournaled. The pivot 31 has a threaded upper end portion onwhich issecured a nut 39 and .washer 48 by which the arm 38 is held againstdisplacement from the bracket 35. The arm 38 also includes inner andouter sections which are pivotally attached together at 4|. Mounted onthe outer extremity of the outer sections of each of the arms 3| and 38is a spray-discharge device, generally designated by the numeral 42,which is hereinafter more fully described.

The pivots 34 and 31 of the arms 3| and 38, respectively, are locatedintermediate the ends of the arms, each of which have the rearwardlyextending end portion 43 of increased width in which a longitudinallyextending slot 44 is provided. The rear end portions of the arms 3| and38 are operatively connected with driving mechanism by which the armsmay be drivingly simultaneously oscillated in their respective planes,the arm 3| being oscillatable in vertical planes while the arm 38 isoscillatable in a horizontal plane or in any selected plane which issuitably angularly disposed with respect to the planes in which the arms3| oscillate as determined by the position of the pivot 31.

The mechanism for drivingly oscillating the arms 3| and 38 includes ashaft 45 extending transversely of the tracks |8 which is journaled inbearings 48 mounted on opposite end portions of the frame base member28. A crank arm 41 is non-rotatabiy secured to each opposite end portionof the shaft 45 and operatively connected by a chain 48 and a resilientextensible coupling member 49 to a reciprocably mounted bar 58 which isslidably mounted in bearings secured to the internal sides of the sideportions 21 of the frame structure 25. A similar bar 52 is reciprocablymounted in bearings 53 secured to the lower side of the top member 28 ofthe frame structure 25. Upper adjacent end portions of the bars 58 and52 are operatively connected together by chains 54 which extend overpulleys 55 located at the junctions of the side members 21 and topmember 28 of the frame structure. The resiliently extensible couplings49 each comprise a piston-like portion 58 having its other end attachedto a chain 48 and a cylinder-like portion 51 which is pivotally mountedon the outer end portion of the bell crank lever 41. The piston-likepart 58 of each coupling member has a head portion disposed within thecylinder of the cooperating member which is provided with an endrestriction 58. A coil spring 59 bears between the end restriction 58and the head portion of the piston-like member in order to normally holdthe parts of the coupling in contracted position.

The drive shaft 45 of the arm oscillating mechanism is provided with asprocket gear 88 which is drivingly connected by a chain 8| with asprocket gear 82 carried by the shaft 2| of the driving unit 22. Each ofthe arms 3| and 38 are operatively connected with the respectivereciprocably mounted bars 58 and 5| by a pin 83 carried by a collar 84secured to the reciprocably mounted bars, the pin 83 being engaged inthe slot 44 of the rear end portions of the arms 3| and 38. Duringoperation of the drive mechanism 22 the vehicle or other article uponwhich coating material is to be sprayed, is propelled along apredetermined course extending through the rectangular frame structure25 and the arms 3| and 38 are simultaneously oscillated in timedrelationship by the reciprocatory movement of the bars 58 and 52 whichis produced by the crank arms 41 carried by the drive shaft 45.

The spray devices 42 carried by the oscillatory arms 3| and 38 areillustrated somewhat in detail in Fig. 2. Each spray device 42 includesa main body portion 85 in which are provided paint and air passages 88and 81, respectively. The paint passage 88'of each spray devicecommunicates with a paint supply conduit 88, preferably comprising aflexible hose, and leads to a central bore 89 in the main body portion85 from which a paint discharging tube part 18 extends. The air passage81 of the spray device 42 communicates with an air supply conduit 1|,preferably comprising a flexible hose, and leads to an annular groove 12formed in the right hand face of the body portion 85, as viewed in Fig.2. Detachably mounted by a threaded collar 13 on the right end portionof the main body part of "the spray device, is a nozzle member 14 havingair passages 15 leading from the annular groove 12 and having a centralopening 18 in which is receivable a reduced end portion 11 of the paintdischarge tube 18. The precise structure of this portion of theautomatic and mechanical paint spraying apparatus is immaterial, aconventional paint spraying, head being shown for the purposes ofillustration.

The paint discharge tube 18 is provided with a valve member comprising avalve stem 18 having a valve seat 19 thereon by which the dischargeorifice of the tube 18 may be tightly closed. A piston element 88 isprovided on the left end portion of the valve stem 18 and disposedwithin a cylinder 8| carried by the left end part of the main bodyportion 85 of the spraying device, as viewed in Fig. 2. The piston 88and valve stem 18 are normally urged rightwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2,in order to close the paint discharge orifice by a coil spring 82 whichbears between the piston 88 and a plug 83 provided in the left extremityof the cylinder 8|. In the wall structure of the cylinder 8| is formedan air inlet passage 84 which communicates with a conduit 85, alsopreferably comprising a flexible hose. The passage 84 leads to the-rightend portion of the cylinder 8| and is adapted to admit air underpressure thereto in order to move the piston 88 and valve stem 18leftwardly so as to open the paint discharge orifice and to permit thedischarge of surface coating material.

The paint and air supply conduits 88 and 1| are connected to sources ofcoating material and air supply respectively and the air pressure lines85 of each of the spray devices 42 are operatively connected with valvemechanism, hereinafter more fully described, by which the control of thedischarge of coating material is effected.

The supply of air under pressure, or other fluid pressure medium, to thecylinders of the valve control apparatus of each spray device 42 iscontrolled automatically in timed relationship with respect to movementof the vehicle body 24 and with respect to the positions of the spraydevices in the course of their oscillatory movement. This controlapparatus comprises a cam 86, non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 45 andwhich operates upon a cam follower 81 that in turn actuates a valve 88in the fluid pressure control line 89 by which the conduits 85 of therespective spray devices are supplied with fluid pressure medium Whenthe valve mechanism 90 aamaes in order to open the valves thereof andpermit the discharge of coating material therefrom. The valve 88 assuresthat coating material will not be discharged from any of the spraydevices 42 during selected predetermined portions of the oscillatorystrokes thereof as established by the contour of the cam 86. This cammay be so constructed as to cause the discharge of coating material tobe discontinued over a predetermined portion of the intermediate or endparts of the strokes of the devices. The fluid medium supply line 89leads to a distributing valve structure 99 with which the conduits 85 ofall of the spray devices 42 are connected. The valve mechanism 90includes the valve stem 9| which is pivotally connected with a valvelever 92 which is in turn pivotally mounted on a support 93 carried bythe top member 28 of the frame structure 25. Provided on the forward endportion of the lever 92, which is disposed downwardly and forwardly fromthe plane of the frame structure 25, is a rotatably mounted wheel 94which is adapted to engage upon a part of the forward end portion of thevehicle body 24 as the latter is propelled forwardly along the tracks I.When the wheel 94 contacts with a selected portion of the vehicle body24, the lever 92 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.1, and the valve stem 9! is moved upwardly substantially vertically toopen the valve mechanism 99 and permit the flow of fluid medium underpressure through all of the conduits 86 and into the cylinders 8| of allof the spray devices, thereby urging the pistons 80 and the valvestructure carried thereby against the action of the springs 82 to openthe discharge ports of the spray devices.

During operation of automatic painting apparatus embodying theinvention, the discharge of coating material is prevented at all timesduring which an article is not in position to be sprayed by the valvemechanism 90. The valve 88 may be opened and closed without effectingthe spray devices so long as the valve mechanism 90 is closed. is open,coating material is discharged from the spray devices 42, substantiallyin a conventional spray discharge pattern, while the spray devices aremoving through their respective oscillatory strokes. The discharge ofthe coating material is discontinued as the spray devices reachpredetermined portions of their oscillatory strokes, preferably theopposite end portions thereof, in order that the coating material willnot be needlessly wasted and to prevent building up of excessive layersof coating material by overlapping of the sprays from the coatingdevices which operate upon adjacent angularly disposed surfaces of thearticle. The spray devices 42 of the oscillatory side arms 3| may bemanually moved inwardly and outwardly to vary the distance of thedischarge ends of the spray devices from the surfaces of the workoperated upon, by turning the outer sections of the arm 3| inwardlyabout the pivot designated by the numeral 32. The distance of the topspray device 42, carried by the arm 38, may be similarly varied from thesurface upon which the spray is discharged by turning the outer sectionof the arm 38 about the pivot 4| thereof.

As the article, such as a vehicle body 24, is propelled along the tracksl0, substantially all portions of the sides and top thereof are evenlysprayed throughout their entire lateral and longitudinal extent. Thethickness of the coa ing material applied to the article may becontrolled by predetermining the amount of discharge from the spraydevices 42 and also by predetermining the rate of movement of thevehicle body with respect to the rate of movement of oscillation of thespray devices. This may be accomplished by a suitable selection ofsprocket wheels 60 and 62, and gearing of the speed reduction mechanism22.

Although but one specific embodiment of my invention is herein shown anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes in the size, shapeand arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spiritof my invention.

WhatI claim is:

1. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatableabout a pivotal axis extending transversely of the path of one of saidsurfaces respectively in a course corresponding to one of said surfacesof said article, a spray discharge device carried by each of said arms,means for simultaneously oscillating said arms and the spray devicescarried thereby in order to simultaneously spray upon successivelyadjacent portions of said surfaces of said article during movementthereof relative to said support, and apparatus operable by said meansand in timed relation with respect to the oscillatory movement of saidspray devices for simultaneously interrupting the discharge of sprayedmaterial therefrom during predetermined portions of the strokes thereof.

2. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatableabout a pivotal axis extending transversely of the path of one of saidsurfaces respectively in a course corresponding to one of said surfacesof said article, a spray discharge device carried by each of said arms,means for simultaneously oscillating said arms and the spray devicescarried thereby in order to simultaneously spray upon successivelyadjacent portions of said surfaces of said article during movementthereof relative to said support, and apparatus responsive to movementof said article relative to said support for starting and discontinuingthe discharge of sprayed material from said devices as said article ismoved into and out of spray receiving positions, respectively.

3. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, a onsaid support, each arm being oscillatable in a course corresponding toone of said surfaces of said article, a spray discharge device carriedby each of said arms, means for simultaneously oscillating said arms andthe spray devices carried thereby in order to simultaneously spray uponsuccessively adjacent portions of said surfaces of said article duringmovement thereof relative to said support, apparatus operable in timedrelation with respect to the oscillatory movement of at least one ofsaid spray devices for interrupting the discharge of sprayed materialtherefrom during a predetermined portion of the stroke thereof, andapparatus responsive to movement of said article for starting anddiscontinuing the discharge of sprayed material from sa d devices asplurality of arms mounted said article is moved into and out of a sprayreceiving position respectively.

4. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatableabout a pivotal axis intersecting a plane corresponding generally to theplane of one of said surfaces respectively and in a course correspondingto one of said surfaces of said article, a spray discharge devicecarried by each of said arms and movable thereby in an arcuate courseover successively arcuate adjacent portions of one of said surfacesrespectively, means for simultaneously oscillating said arms and movingsaid article relative to said frame structure in timed relationship, andapparatus operable in timed relationship with respect to of said spraydevices in courses generally parallel to the main portions of thesurfaces with which they are respectively associated for interruptingthe discharge of sprayed material therefrom when saidarms are at theadjacent end portions of the strokes thereof.

5. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatablein a course corresponding to one of said surfaces of said article, aspray discharge device carried by each of said arms, means forsimultaneously oscillating said arms and moving said article relative tosaid frame structure in timed relationship, apparatus operable in timedrelationship with respect to the oscillatory movements of said spraydevices for interrupting the discharge of sprayed material therefromwhen said arms are at the adjacent end portions of the strokes thereof,and apparatus responsive to movement of said article for starting anddiscontinuing the discharge of sprayed material from said devices assaid article is moved into and out of a spray receiving positionrespectively.

6. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatablein a course corresponding to one of said surfaces of said article, aspray discharge device carried by each of said arms, means forsimultaneously oscilliating said arms and the spray devices carriedthereby in order to simultaneously spray upon successively adjacentportions of said surfaces of said article during movement thereofrelative to said support, valve mechanism associated with each of saidspray devices for starting and stopping spraying operation thereof, thevalve mechanism of each spray device including a fluid pressure operablevalve controlling member, and means responsive to movement of saidarticle for simultaneously actuating said valve controlling members tostart and stop spraying operations as said article is moved into and outof a spray receiving position.

7. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for bodily shiftablysupporting an article having angularly disposed surfaces to be sprayedin a path extending generally in the same direction as portions of saidsurfaces, a

the oscillatory movements frame structure located in close proximity tothe path of said article, a plurality of arms mounted on said support,each arm being oscillatable in a course corresponding to one of saidsurfaces of said article, a spray discharge device carried by each ofsaid arms, means for simultaneously oscillating said arms and the spraydevices carried thereby in order to simultaneously spray uponsuccessively arcuately adjacent portions of said surfaces of saidarticle during movement thereof relative to said support, valvemechanism associated with each of said spray devices for starting andstopping spraying operation thereof, the valve mechanism of each spraydevice including a fluid pressure operable valve controlling member, andmeans including a fluid pressure system having a fluid pressure supplycontrol valve operating in timed relation to oscillatory movement ofsaid spray devices for actuating a plurality of said fluid pressureoperable valve controlling members simultaneously to discontinuespraying operation during selected portions of the oscillatory strokesof said spraying devices.

8. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for movably supportingan article to be sprayed having angularly disposed surfaces, a framestructure located in close proximity to the path of said article, aplurality of arms mounted on said support, each arm being oscillatablein a course corresponding to one of said surfaces of said article, aspray d scharge device carried by each of said arms, means forsimultaneously oscillating said arms and the spray devices carriedthereby in order to simultaneously spray upon successively adjacentportions of said surfaces of said article during movement thereofrelative to said support, valve mechanism associated with each of saidspray devices for starting and stopping spraying operation thereof, thevalve mechanism of each spray device including a fluid pressure operablevalve controlling member, means o erating in timed relation tooscillatory movement of said spray devices for actuating said fluidpressure operable valve controlling members simultaneously todiscontinue spraying operation during selected portions of theoscillatory strokes of said spraying devices, and means responsive tomovement of said article for simultaneously actuating said valvecontrolling members to start and stop spraying operations as saidarticle is moved into and out of a spray receiving position.

9. A machine for spraying surface coating materials on automobile bodiesincluding means for movably supporting an automobile body in uprightposition and for guiding the same throughout a predetermined course oftravel, mechanism for drivingly propelling said body in the direction ofits length, a frame structure having side portions on oppositesides ofsaid course and transverse top portion connecting the upper ends of saidside portions, an arm mounted on each side portion of said framestructure and oscillatable in a course adjacent the path of movement ofone side wall of said body respectively, an arm pivotally mounted onsaid top portion of said frame structure and oscillatable about asubstantially vertical axis in a course above the path of travel of thetop wall of said body, a spray device carried by each arm andoscillatable thereby in a plane extending lengthwise of the course oftravel of said body, and means for oscillating said arms and spraydevices and moving said body in timed relationship.

10. A machine for spraying surface coating materials on automobilebodies including means for movably supporting an automobile body inupright position and for guiding the same throughout a predeterminedcourse of travel,

mechanism for drivingly propelling said body in' the direction of itslength, a frame structure having side portions on opposite sides of saidcourse and transverse top portion connecting the upper ends of said sideportions, an arm mounted on each side portion of said frame structureand oscillatable in a course adjacent the path of movement of one sidewall of said body respectively, an arm pivotally mounted on said topportion of said frame structure and oscillatable about an axisintersecting the plane of the major portion of said top wall in a planeextending lengthwise of the path of travel of the top wall of said body,a spray device carried by each arm, means for oscillating said arms andspray devices and moving said body in timed relationship, and mechanismfor starting and stopping the discharge of spray from said devices assaid body moves into and out of spray receiving positions including acontrol trigger member engageable with leading and trailing end portionsof said body respectively for actuating said mechanism.

11. An automatic spraying machine comprising means for bodily shiftablysupporting an article having angularly disposed surfaces to be sprayedfor movement in a predetermined path extending generally parallel to theplanes of major portions of said surfaces, a frame structure located inclose proximity to the path of said article, a plurality of arms eachpivotally mounted on said support for oscillation about an axisextending transversely of the path of one of said surfaces respectively,each arm being oscillatable in a course generally parallel to the pathof movement of the major portions of one of said surfaces of saidarticle respectively, a spray discharge device mounted on each of saidarms in spaced relation to the pivotal mounting thereof, and means forsimultaneously oscillating each of said arms and the spray devicescarried thereby in their respective courses in order to simultaneouslyapply successive substantially arcuate spray discharge patterns uponsuccessively adjacent portions of said surfaces of said article duringbodily shifting movement thereof relative to said support. 1

12. Automatic spraying apparatus comprising a support, means adjacentsaid support for supporting an article having a surface to be sprayed,said support and said means being relatively shiftably movable forprogressively bringing successively adjacent portions of said surfaceinto a predetermined location with respect to said support, an armswingably mounted on said support oscillatable in a path adjacent saidsurface, a spray discharge device carried by said arm, means forsimultaneously oscillating said arm and producing relative movement ofsaid support and said article. supporting means in timed relationship,apparatus operable in timed relationship with respect to oscillation ofsaid spray device for interrupting the discharge of sprayed materialtherefrom when said arm is at a predetermined position in its stroke ofoscillative movement, and apparatus responsive to relative movement ofsaid article and said support for starting and discontinuing thedischarge of sprayed material from said device as said article is movedinto and out of spray receiving positions respectively.

1 Automatic spraying apparatus comprising a support, means adjacent saidsupport for supporting an article having a surface to be sprayed, saidsupport and said means being relatively shiftably movable forprogressively bringing successively adjacent portions of said surfaceinto a predetermined location with respect to said support, an armpivotally mounted on said support for oscillation about an axisextending transversely of the path of relative movement of said surfaceand said support, said arm being oscillatable in a course generallyparallel to said latter path of movement, a spray discharge devicemounted on said arm in spaced relation to the pivotal mounting thereof,means for oscillating said arm and the spray device carried thereby insaid course-in order to apply successive substantially arcuate spraydischarge patterns upon said successively adjacent portions of saidsurface during relative movement of said support and said articlesupporting-means, and apparatus operable by said oscillating means intimed relation to oscillatory movement of said spray device forinterrupting the discharge of sprayed material therefrom duringpredetermined portions of the stroke thereof.

RALPH L. SMITH.

